reading satelite images for new lakes

[zippyduck]

We fish at least one new lake every year and start early by using google maps.

First we label all areas as grass, stumps, docks,  rock, and laydowns on any map we can get.
Second we mark any of these areas with adjacent deep water..
And third is to match any area with multiple cover areas with  structure, these are the first places we check out and most times hold fish.

We sometimes have to run long distances to figure out what the fish are using but once we figure it out all the other spots are marked on the map and we can skip alot of useless water.

[68camaro]

How do you get Google Maps to show such detail, I can't seem to get the fine detail, even a fountain in pond I was practicing with onset's show and detail or even look like a fountain?

[coldfront]

start out in google earth...on your PC/laptop.

I'm still hopelessly old school.  run a TOWER for heaven's sake!  with a 25" monitor, HD...  get great resolution on the satellite imagery.

the other suggestion?  use the 'date/history bar' and look back through time to see if there are any images from low water periods.  Look for 'drains' or points with isolated rock/wood off them...

In google earth, you can actually place 'markers' on them with labels if you want...and then move the history bar back to higher water levels...

the other key?  when you place the marker, you also get Lat/Long coordinates...  and THAT can be awful useful when on the water to finding the spot.  Particularly IF that spot, at full pool, has weeds all around it...

just thinking out loud...

[coldfront]

okay... a little deeper.  I'm contemplating spending some time over on a lake here in TN.  It's not a secret...if you look closely at the imagery you'll probably figure it out.

Impounded in 1997, so it's relatively young.

first, I took a look at the lake at what I judged 'normal' pool


then I hit the 'clock' button for the historical image selection
here's the lake prior to impound.  Lake shoreline super-imposed.  Note road beds, creek channels, old stump rows/tree lines... this is a great place to mark 'stuff of interest.



for quick reference I found two more images that show low water


and high water

[68camaro]

Wow, thanks. very helpful. I'll play with this later and let you know how it goes.

[coldfront]

one more image (for now  )

old hedge/stump rows in green
road beds in blue
creek channels in yellow



have to get depths to start to make sense of it all.  and of course, get a feel for weed beds.

[cojab]

Coldfront, I was playing around with this on that lake you showed me this on. The thing I haven't figured out yet is how you are outlining the lake. I assume after you outline it you have to make it a layer to place it on other images??

[Polaris425]

That's an awesome find Coldfront. Seeing what's under the water before it was there.



I do the same, look at sat images to find points, changes in bank lines, creek mouths, etc... and cross reference the area's w/ my Navionics App.

[cojab]

Just a quick thought. In the CM area there is a lake topo study area where Coldfront shared a bunch of this info.
It is a very beneficial thread that I know is going to help me out a bunch more than the $20.00 I spent for a CM. Join up as a CM and join in on those posts. The more info shared the better.

[coldfront]

Coldfront, I was playing around with this on that lake you showed me this on. The thing I haven't figured out yet is how you are outlining the lake. I assume after you outline it you have to make it a layer to place it on other images??

it's not that hard.  I working in Google Earth (free download).  Just go into 'trails' and use it to outline whatever you want to do.  Basically, by 'left click and hold' I just trace whatever I want.  The other thing I figured out:  I use a 'gaming capable' mouse...  not that expensive, but quick/responsive.

could probably use a tablet and a 'pen' for those who like to draw...  but this suffices for me.

In the window, you have option of changing line width, color...

Even more, you can save the trails... and export them... but I'll leave you to figure out some of the rest of that (as for reasons why you might want to do that..      )

I've found I'm a relatively 'spatial' guy...and working through imagery progressions like this help me visualize what I want to do, put a plan together on 'how I want to do it'  for attacking the lake.

Now, to be clear, you'd think with this much thought, I might have found the holy grail and unlocked the secrets to the lake...  perhaps...  but the fish don't cooperate nearly as much as I would like.

Still, even if I don't stick the 20# bag every time out, I love uncovering data, figuring out puzzles...and this is just part of how I get more fun out of the whole process of fishing for bass.

[zippyduck]

better explanation by coldfront, thanks for adding the key info.

[topwaterfanatic]

  I do something similar to this when scouting new lakes. Its a little different for me since I mostly fish for bass from the shore. Last weekend I caught a couple big bass in a new lake that I found on Google Earth. I looked at the satellite images of this lake, picked out the spots on the lake I felt where best to fish from, and spent more time fishing these spots than the rest of the lake.

[68camaro]

Had time today to spend and figure this out. Very neat, found a couple new places to try to hit. My neighborhood was built in woods so not a lot of detail going back as far as I can but was helpful. Next stop county land surveyor to look at some maps.

On larger local lake was definitely able to see channels etc. Low water exposes a lot also.

[d.branch3]

I am assuming you do not have a clock to view historical data by using a smart phone or I pad cause I can't find it??

[coldfront]

I am assuming you do not have a clock to view historical data by using a smart phone or I pad cause I can't find it??

thnk you need the full version...not the smart phone approach.  It's not on my smart phone, but I do have it on my 'tower'.

sometimes it's an advantage to be 'old' - 'school'...

[d.branch3]

Ok I will try on computer, thank you

[hezekiahes]

Hi guys - was reading through your discussion on the maps...and thought I would offer in some of what I do as well.

I also use google maps, in conjunction with web based topo maps found at http://webapp.navionics.com/

If you haven't used these yet, they are great - and free.